DIY Push-Pin Travel Map

When I was in Bangkok, Thailand (pre-COVID) I visited some family friends and I spotted a fun colorful world map studded with several colors of push-pins, carefully labelling all of the countries each family member had visited. While their jobs have taken them all over the world (so many pins!) I loved the idea and decided to make my own push-pin map with the hopes of adding many more pins over time. 

First, I searched for a (pretty) map with enough detail to be able to pin even the smallest countries. After scouring the web I ended up picking this one from RedBubble for about $35 for a 33" x 22" size. 

I could have kept it simple and just used 3M Super77 to mount it on a cork board or foam core or something similar but I saw this as an investment to be kept for a while and so decided to frame it. Unfortunately I had chosen a strange size print which made purchasing a ready-made frame challenging (and I didn't want a frame that looked like it belonged in a college dorm room). Hobby Lobby had some nice options but the sizes didn't work and Joann fabrics was going to be very pricey for a custom frame so I went looking online. 

I ended up ordering a custom frame from framesbymail.com. With matting and foam core backing (and a 1st order discount of 15%) it was $87 before shipping. Because I wanted to use pins I did not need glass though you could go the shadowbox route if you want the map protected. The frame arrived slightly damaged from shipping but the company was great and sent a replacement quickly. 

Frame and matting in hand, all I had to do was pop in my print (adhered to the foam backing with 3M Super77) and attach the mounting hardware.

The final touch was placing the pins (I found mine on Amazon (1/8 Inch Map Tacks in Pink by Moore Co.))

Pretty quick project that is a fun piece greeting you as you enter my apartment! I hope this inspires you to make your own travel map! If I was doing it all over, the only thing I would change was to pick a more conventional size print so I would not have to go the custom framing route but hey, I now have pretty matting around my map!

In other exciting news, I finished my dermatology residency training in June (over Zoom on my patio) and will be moving to Charlotte, NC to join a dermatology practice!

Nailhead Trimmed Upholstered Headboard

My bed was feeling very incomplete without well - a bed. It was just sitting on a basic frame. I love a good 4 poster as much as the next girl but given my studio situation I didn't want to close off/overwhelm the space with a big bed. I also didn't want to ship my beautiful Mahogany Bed (that project here!) from 12 hours away. I looked all over the internet for the right combination of shape, color and price but couldn't find my goldilocks bed so I decided to bust out my tools and make my own! Here is my step-by-step:

First, I freehanded the shape to see how it looked and to get the right height:

Fair warning: this is a challenging shape to upholster and is best done with a pliable fabric if you are a beginner upholsterer!

Next I laid out my pattern on some 1/4 inch plywood I got from Lowes and marked it with a sharpie. 

I reinforced the back with a second strip of plywood where I would be attaching the bracket for mounting to the wall. I used some Gorilla Glue for wood glue. Who needs wood clamps when you have the heaviest textbooks known to man?

Then it was time to break out the jigsaw. Move slowly with the cuts when doing the curves or you will break a blade or two. 

I then set off in search of fabric. I found this crazy enormous warehouse SR Harris Fabric Outlet in Minneapolis. I had a very specific color in mind because I was trying to match my loveseat. The only one I ended up finding was a Sunbrella brand which has less stretch than I would have liked and made the upholstery more challenging but it need up being fine in the end. On the upside - it won't fade in the sun. 

While there I picked up batting and 1" high density foam. I adhered it with 3M Super 77 spray adhesive.

I cut the batting to have a few inch border and wrapped two layers and stapled in place working to keep things taut so everything would be smooth under the fabric.

 Sorry the lighting in my apt is a bit yellow so the colors in my photos are a bit off :(

I could have easily stopped here but I'm a glutton for punishment apparently so I decided to take things further and go for a more upscale look by adding nail head trim. 

Here are the nails that I got online. There are tons of color and style options but order maybe 30% more than you need because you can count on bending and breaking quite a few.

I used a hammer with a felt pad on the tip to prevent scratching of the nails rather than buying a new hammer specifically for this purpose. There are specific tools for helping you space the nails but they aren't as helpful if you are working on a curve and are capable of eyeballing things. 

Here is the final product!

Finally it was time to hang the headboard. I just used a "French Cleat" type system from Lowes.

The colors don't match in the photo but in real lighting they are pretty close. 

 Thanks for reading!

DIY String Lamp

My friends have been calling me out for being a blog slacker recently so here goes me trying to redeem myself...

I was raised in a house with LOTs of windows (basically the whole back is glass) so in looking for apartments natural light is on my list of must-haves.  I found a great place with big windows but only later realized it had essentially no lighting once the sun goes down. A desk lamp was just not going to cut it! I needed to find a way to get maximum light at a not so maximum price and of course it needed to be cute :) After much research I decided to try making a string lampshade (the pre-made price tags were a bit much - this large one is $899). 

I made a quick trip to Home Depot for some twine and Target for a yoga ball and Elmer's glue. I picked up a synthetic based twine as it had a nice smooth and slightly shiny finish that I thought would look nice reflecting a little light but later found out the hard way that it did not absorb the glue as well as say cotton string. 

I dunked the twine in a half and half combo of white Elmer's school glue and water and let it soak. 

I ended up picking a 20" yoga ball which fit the space nicely. I could have maybe gone a few inches bigger but any smaller would have just looked sad. I pumped it up, wrapped it in saran wrap and then marked out a few circles for the bottom hole (I chose a 4-5 inch hole to install and change bulbs and such). 

Then it was time to get messy! I draped the counter in a canvas drop cloth, put on a paint tee and some Netflix and then started wrapping the ball in the glue/water soaked twine changing directions to cover evenly. Fair warning that the twine can get a bit slippery and fall off if not wrapped intentionally. Also, a larger ball is harder than a smaller one so keep that in mind. 

I ended up pouring the remaining liquid over the ball because I was feeling nervous that the twine hadn't soaked up enough to make it firm up. I let it rest and dry for 2 days before deflating the yoga ball and pulling it out through the bottom hole.

Next it was time to string it up! I used this IKEA Sekond lamp cord , which comes with 2 hooks to help hang from the ceiling, and a super bright LED bulb also from IKEA.

 

Here's the final product! I am really excited with how it turned out and provides maximum light for maximum productivity!

Thanks for reading! 

A Year in Grand Rapids, Michigan (A Travel Guide to Grand Rapids, Western Michigan, and the UP )

Hello! Today's post is a bit different but I hope you enjoy it all the same!

This year what I have lacked in DIY projects I have more than made up in experiences. As I have completed my first year of physician residency in Grand Rapids, Michigan I have taken every opportunity to explore the city and the rest of the state. I only have a year here and I didn't want to have regrets about not taking advantage of everything this awesome state has to offer. Does that mean sleeping less sometimes? Yes, but more often than not I just take advantage of the hours and days I am not working (instead of parking on the couch with Netflix). I have hiked, kayaked, swam and ran.

I have gone to museums, festivals, beaches and flea and farmers markets.
As a resource for myself as well as other incoming resident physicians and those who just want to see what western Michigan is all about I made a Google Map that includes hundreds of restaurants, bars, beaches, festivals, parks, and more. I hope that this inspires you to truly take advantage of what GR and MI have to offer. Each pin comes with a picture(s) and information below.

(Use the icon in the top left corner to see a listing of pins by type and name within this page or just click on the pin itself to see information; zoom in and out to see all of the pins for a given area - you will have to do this for GR as there is such a high pin density. To view the map larger in a new window click on the icon in the far right upper corner)

Heres another way of looking:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1hCricrsDllaeKcM06RMsHvXgPYo&usp=sharing

Here are some select photos from my Michigan adventures to inspire you:

Kruse Park, Muskegon

Kruse Park, Muskegon (Lake Michigan)

Kayaking in Ann Arbor on the Huron River

Fireworks on the 4th in downtown GR

(Free) Summer Yoga in Wilcox Park, GR

A Gociety hike at Merrell Trails sponsored by Founders Brewing, GR

Hiking Meetup (Meetup.com) at PJ Hoffmaster State Park and Beach

Hiking to Oval Beach, Saugatuck (Lake Michigan)

Silver Lake Sand Dunes, MI (Dune Buggy or go in an Off Road Vehicle if you're brave)

Weekend Meetup hike of the Manistee River Trail and North Country Trail with fabulous fall colors

Reeds lake in the fall, East GR

Millenium Park, just outside of downtown GR

Labor Day weekend "Up North" in Mesick, MI

Disco Night at Pyramid Scheme

The music of Queen with the GR Symphony Picnic Pops at Cannonsburg Ski Area

HP in Concert with the GR Symphony

Picking blueberries at DeGrandchamps in Grand Haven, MI

Enjoying a Pasty at the wonderful Fulton Street Farmers Market, GR

Hiking Pictured Rocks National Park in the Upper Peninsula 

Enjoying having the whole beach to ourselves at Pictured Rocks National Park for a mid-hike dip in Lake Superior

The "Pictured Rocks" themselves

Savoring the delicious French Food of Bar Divani during Restaurant Week GR

Feeling Fancy at the Heritage Restaurant (GRCC's Culinary Institute restaurant)

A flight for Dad at Brewery Vivant and another stamp in the Passport

I'm officially a Beer City Brewsader (8 stamps in your passport earns you a free T-shirt)

Cherry Republic's Cherry Sorbet in the national cherry mecca of Traverse City, MI

Enjoying a beer and a hot dog at the GR WhiteCaps game with the ClubMed Resident Group

Taking in a Wolverine Game in Ann Arbor, MI

Cheering on the GR Griffins with the ClubMed Resident Group

Kicking off the holiday season with the tree lighting and ice rink at Rosa Parks Circle in Downtown GR

Shopping the Dutch Christmas Market "Kerstmarkt" in Holland, MI

Wintertime at the Meijer Gardens in GR

Tubing with ClubMed at Cannonsburg Ski Area, GR

Valent Ice Festival and ice skating at Rosa Parks Circle, Downtown GR

Valent Ice Festival, Downtown GR

Ice breaking up on Lake Michigan in Charlevoix, MI

Sunset over Torch Lake, MI

Spring has arrived at Reeds Lake in East GR

Reading in the hammock at Reeds Lake, East GR

It's Tulip Time in Holland, Michigan with millions of tulips around the City

Tulip Time in Holland, Michigan 

Tulip Time at Windmill Island in Holland, Michigan

Like my hairy legs and Fox sporin? Enjoying the kilts and Highland Games at the Highlands Festival in Alma, MI

That's all for now! It's sad to think that I will be moving in only 4 weeks but I am sure to find new adventures in Minneapolis! 

Thanks for reading and let me know if you have any questions or feedback! Subscribe up top for notifications of future posts!